One way to research nursing homes in your area is to consult Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare website. Here, you can search by zip code to find facilities that are certified by Medicare and Medicaid. In October 2019, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) began using a new alert icon on its website. Now, the public can quickly learn about allegations of nursing home abuse in specific facilities.
Look for This Symbol
When you see the symbol of a red circle with a white hand next to the nursing home name, it means that the nursing home has been cited for:
- Abuse that caused patient harm in the last year; or
- Abuse that potentially caused resident harm in the last two years
According to CMS, “Abuse is defined as the willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain or mental anguish. It includes verbal abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, and mental abuse.”
If the nursing home where your loved one resides, or is thinking about residing, has this symbol by their name, CMS encourages you to ask an administrator or staff member what they are doing to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The website will be updated every month so you can be confident that the information you see is current.
What to Consider When Selecting a Nursing Home
The CMS alert and other information on its website are important. It may help you decide which nursing homes to visit and which to cross off your list. However, it is also vital to visit a few nursing homes, talk to staff, and ask to speak to residents or their relatives about their experiences.
Even when you’ve done your due diligence in selecting a safe nursing home, your loved one could still suffer abuse or neglect. Stay alert, learn about the warning signs of potential nursing home abuse or neglect, and know that there is help available if your loved one is hurt.
Speak To Our Experienced Kentucky Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Today
If your loved one has suffered an injury in a Kentucky nursing home then we may be able to file a lawsuit to recover damages. Our nursing home abuse attorneys work hard to make sure that nursing homes are held accountable and that residents, or their survivors, get the recoveries that they deserve. We have successfully handled hundreds of cases throughout Kentucky, we would be pleased to provide you, or your family, with a free consultation. Please contact Gray & White today to learn more.
|
Related Links: |
